AirPods (3rd generation): release date, model numbers and price
Apple released the AirPods (3rd generation) on 18 October 2021, 5 years ago at £169. Apple stopped selling it on 20 September 2024. Refurbished, it costs from £84 today, 50% below launch.
Updated 31 October 2026. Release date and launch price from Apple. Refurbished prices checked daily at Apple Store, Amazon, Back Market, MusicMagpie, eBay, and TLX.
- Released
- 18 October 2021 5 years ago
- Launch price
- £169
- Discontinued
- 20 September 2024 1068 days on sale
- First refurbished
- 11 August 2023 Apple Store, 663 days after launch
Where to buy a refurbished AirPods (3rd generation)
Every refurbisher that has sold the AirPods (3rd generation), cheapest today first. Listings counts the offers each one has live, one per version and grade, not how many devices it holds.
| Refurbisher | Cheapest today | Offers |
|---|---|---|
 eBay 1 listing | £84 | See offers |
 MusicMagpie 0 listings | Sold out | Get an alert |
 Apple Store 0 listings | Sold out | Get an alert |
The AirPods (3rd generation) so far
Launched 5 years ago.
£169 at launch First refurbished11 Aug 2023
Apple Store, after 663 days Discontinued20 Sept 2024
1068 days on sale Today31 Oct 2026
from £84, 50% below launch
- Released, 18 Oct 2021£169 at launch
- First refurbished, 11 Aug 2023Apple Store, after 663 days
- Discontinued, 20 Sept 20241068 days on sale
- Today, 31 Oct 2026from £84, 50% below launch
AirPods (3rd generation) questions
When did the AirPods (3rd generation) come out?
Apple released the AirPods (3rd generation) on 18 October 2021, 5 years ago at £169.
How much did the AirPods (3rd generation) cost at launch?
£169 for the base model. Refurbished, it costs from £84 today.
When was the AirPods (3rd generation) discontinued?
Apple stopped selling it on 20 September 2024. Refurbishers still sell it.
How much is a refurbished AirPods (3rd generation)?
From £84 today. The lowest price RefurbMe has seen is £64.
How we get these numbers
Release dates, launch prices and model numbers come from Apple. Every day RefurbMe checks the stock and prices of Apple Store, Amazon, Back Market, MusicMagpie, eBay, and TLX and keeps every price it sees, which is where the lowest price seen comes from. The cheapest price today is the lowest in stock at our last check; it can change between that check and your visit.
